Slug casting machine



July 3, 1934. A. J. STOUGES SLUG CASTING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec.

M T. N E N 1 July 3, 1934. A. J. STOUGES SLUG CASTING MACHINE Filed. Dec. 9, 1932 SSheets-Sheet 3 In. Iw/l/l/l/l/l/I/l/l/l/l/l/IV/l/l/l/A July 3, 1934. A. J. STOUGES SLUG CASTING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 I Filed Dec. 9, 1952 INVENTOR Q J ATTOR EYS y 1934- V A. J. STOUGES 1,965,479

' SLUG CASTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 9, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheer, 5

Patented July 3, 1934 PATENT OFFICE SLUG CASTING MACHINE Anthony J. Stouges, Queens Village, N. Y., as-

signor to Mergenthaler Linotype Company, a corporation of New York Application December 9, 1932, Serial No. 646,433

Claims. (01. 19959) This invention relates to slug casting machines, such as linotype machines of the general organization represented in U. S. Letters Patent to O.

w Mergenthaler, No. 436,532, wherein a type bar or slug is cast in a slotted mold up against a line of matrices and thereafter ejected from the mold through a parallel walled guide (usually in the form of trimming knives) into a chute leading to a galley located at the front of the machine. In these machines, the point size or height of the matrix characters, and hence of the type characters cast therefrom, varies widely as between different fonts, and it is, therefore, necessary to v vary the distance between the guide walls or knives to correspond. Normally the left-hand guide wall or knife is fixed and the right-hand guide wall or knife adjustable, the adjustment being effected manually as by means of a contrivance such as shown in my copending application Serial No. 545,398, filed June 19, 1931.

Sometimes the operator fails to make the necessary adjustment inchanging from one font to another, and serious damage to the parts may result. Thus, if the guide walls or knives are set for a thin or small character slug at a time when a thick or large character slug is cast, naturally the cast slug, being unable to pass through the guide or trimming knives, cannot be ejected from the mold, so that aside from spoiling the slug and interrupting the operation of the machine, the ejector blade, mold, knives, or other parts may become badly damaged.

The present invention aims to obviate these and other objects and contemplates an arrange- 354 ment whereby the guide walls or trimming knives will be adjusted automatically in accordance with the size of the matrix characters in use. In my before-mentioned copending application, the firstelevator or transporter which presents the matrix line to the mold for the slug casting operation is arrested at one or another of different levels according to the size of the matrix characters, there being employed for this purpose a stepped bar or slide mounted on the vise frame in position to 457 intercept the downward movement of the first elevator. In carrying out the present invention, this steppedslide is utilized to effect the required adjustment of the guide walls or trimming knives,

. v and; it suifices to say here that when the slide is set ,to arrest the first elevator at a selected level for a matrix font of a given point size, the guide walls or trimming knives will, through suitable connections with the arresting slide, be set apart at a distance corresponding to that particular point size. In this way, no damage can result and the cast slug will always be properly guided or trimmed as it is ejected from the mold into the galley.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a portion of a slug casting machine equipped with the present improvements;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 1; looking from the right in that figure;

Fig. 3 is a view, looking from the right of the machine, of the actuating lever for the adjustable wall of the slug guide;

Fig. 4 is a top plan View of the parts shown in Fig. 1, with the head portion of the first elevator omitted;

Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1,- showing the connecting link in lowered position;

Fig. 6 is a similar view showing the connecting link in raised position;

Fig. '7 is a front elevation, partly in section, of the adjusting devices for the slug guide;

Fig. 8 is a vertical section taken through the first elevator head, vise frame and mold, showing the relation of the parts when casting a thin or small character slug;

Fig. 9 is a similar view showing the relation of the parts when casting a thick or large character slug;

Fig. 10 is a horizontal section taken through the mold and slug guide, showing the relation of these parts during the ejection of the slug; and

Fig. 11 is a similar view showing the slug guide in the form of a pair of trimming knives.

The invention is illustrated herein as applied to a machine of the kind disclosed in my aforesaid application Serial No. 545,398, and reference may be had to that application for fuller information and more complete details. Only those parts directly related to the invention will be shown and described herein.

In Fig. 8 the first elevator or line transporter B is shown as having been arrested at a lower level for the presentation of the composed line of matrices X to the mold L and in Fig. 9 the transporter is shown as having been arrested at a higher level for the presentation of the composed line of matrices X to the mold L As will be observed, the matrices are of identical form, except that those shown in Fig. 8 are formed with characters X of small point size or height, while those shown in Fig. 9 are formed with characters X of large point size or height. Incidentally, the matrices shown are of the kind having deep routing notches for the characters X so 60cslugs during ejection.

that the two molds are of less than normal height or depth to correspond.

The mold L is of the plain variety and produces a plain or solid slug, whereas the mold L is of the cord variety and produces a recessed or ribbed slug. The type characters cast on the slugs will of course correspond to the size of the matrix characters X In the two examples illustrated, the thickness of the slugs will correspond 1 to the size of the matrix characters, the mold L casting a relatively thin slug, and the mold L casting a much thicker slug. The relation of the mold and matrices, however, is such (as more fully explained in my copending application) that the type characters on the slugs may be of greater height than the thickness of the slug body, in which case the type characters will overhang the slug at one side (top or bottom). As a result, while the size of the matrix characters will determine the size of the type characters, the thickness of the slug body may or may not correspond.

The arrest of the line transporter in its different casting positions is effected by means of the pair of duplicate stepped banking bars D and 25, D mounted on the vise frame D and arranged to cooperate with the two banking screws B carried by the transporter head. Each of these banking bars (see Figs. 1 and 4) is provided with a series of steps d spaced predetermined distances 311 above the top surface of the vise frame to serve different matrix fonts and molds. The bars are rigidly secured to a horizontal plate 13 slidably mounted upon the vise frame and adjustable longitudinally to bring any selected pair of steps d 351 beneath the banking screws B so as thereby to 40.] D journaled on the vise frame and meshing with rack teeth formed on the front edge of the plate. At its upper side, the pinion D is provided with a dial D adapted to be read in connection with a pointer D If desired, a locking detent may be 46 employed to hold the parts in their adjusted position.

After the slug casting operation, the mold disc A is given a three-quarter rotation to carry the mold in use from the horizontal position shown in 50." Fig. 9 to a vertical position as shown in Fig. 2.

In the latter position of the mold, the ejector F advances from the rear and pushes the cast slug from the mold through a guide comprising a lefthand wall G and a right-hand wall G In Fig.

10, these guide walls are shown as plain and as intended only for guiding purposes, but in Fig. 11 they are shown as formed at their rear edges with trimming knives g and g which are adapted to dress or shave down the side faces of the In some instances, the left-hand wall G1 alone is formed with a knife edge and the right-hand wall left plain, this being done for example when a slug is cast with type characters overhanging what would then be the 65,. right side of the slug. For the purpose of the present invention, the left-hand guide wall G may be regarded as fixed (as it normally will be),

but in actual practice it is mounted for full retraction in order to permit the ejection of slugs cast with type characters overhanging the left side of the slug, such an arrangement being shown in my copending application.

When the cast slug has been ejected clear of the mold, it is allowed to drop vertically into the 7.5 ichute H leading, to the galley S. The left wall H of the chute: is fixed and forms a continuation of the left-hand wall G of the slug guide, whereas the right-hand- Wall H of the chute is attachedto and carried by the right-hand wall G of the slug guide, the galley chute thus being adjustable simultanenously with the slug guide.

Coming now to the present invention, it is proposed, as before stated, to effect the adjustment of the slug guide and galley chute automatically in accordance with the size of the type characters cast on the slugs. This is accomplished, specifically, by connecting the adjustable righthand guide wall G with the adjusting plate D in such manner that when the stepped bars D and D are set to arrest the line transporter at a selected casting level determined by the size of the matrix characters in use, the guide wall will be set closer to or farther from the fixed lefthand wall G according to the size of the matrix characters.

As best shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the guide wall G is secured to a horizontal slide or tongue 1 mounted in a corresponding guideway 2 formed in the vise frame D. Projecting forwardly from the tongue 1, through a clearance opening 3 cut through the front wall of the guideway, is a pin 4 fitted into a forked finger 5 carried at the lower extremity of a bent lever 6 pivoted at the top, as at 7, to the vise frame. Just below the pivot point '7, the lever 6 is formed with a laterally extending arm 8 having an enlarged aperture 9 through which passes a stud 10 depending from the lower end of a vertically movable link 11 held in place by a grooved plate 12 attached to the vise frame. The link 11 is slotted at its upper end and is provided at the top of the slot with a roller 12 mounted to rotate on a pin 13 spanning the slot. The roller 12 is arranged to bear or track upon a stepped bar or cam 14 resting on the upper face of the vise frame in parallel relation to the stepped bars D and D and connected at the left to the adjusting plate D The bar 14 is provided with as many different steps 15 as the bars D and D so that the slug guide and the galley chute may be set in as many different adjusted positions as may be required by the different sizes of matrix characters.

The guide wall G is urged constantly toward the right, away from the fixed wall G by a tension spring 16 connected at one end to the vise frame and at its other end to a pin 17 projecting upwardly from the tongue 1. This tendency of the spring, however, is resisted and overcome by the stepped bar or cam 14, one or another of whose steps 15 will stand beneath the roller 12 carried by the link 11. In this connection, it will be observed that the steps 15 are arranged in reverse order to the steps (1 of the bars D and D According to the foregoing arrangement, when the stepped bars D and D are adjusted to the left for the arrest of the transporter at its lower levels, as required for the smaller matrix characters, the stepped bar or cam 14 will, be adjusted in the same direction, lifting the link 11 and thereby rocking the lever 6 to the left to move the guide wall G and the connected chute wall I-I toward the fixed guide wall G and the fixed chute wall H (see Fig. 7). On the other hand, when the stepped bars D and D are adjusted to the right for the arrest of the transporter at its higher levels, as required for the larger matrix characters, the stepped bar or cam 14 will be adjusted in that direction, allowing the spring 16 to move the guide wall G and the connected chute wall H away from the fixed guide wall G and the fixed chute wall H (see Fig. 1).. As will be understood, the exact extent of movement of the guide and chute walls will be definitely fixed and determined by the steps 15 on the bar 14, the parts being so proportioned that the separation of the guide walls and the chute walls will correspond exactly to the point size of the matrix characters which of course determine the point size of the type characters.

In order to relieve the tension of the spring 16 on theparts when the stepped bars D and D are adjusted, the lever 6 is provided with a handle 1'7 which, when depressed, will move the guide wall Ci toward the left and lift the roller 12 out of engagement with the stepped bar 14. This, however, is not at all necessary and is included only as a matter of convenience.

There may be times when it is desired to locate the guide wall G2 in its fully retracted position, as when the type characters overhang the right side of the slug, and in order to permit this to be done without affecting the setting of the stepped bars D and D and the stepped bar 14, the finger 5 is pivoted at 18 to the lever 6 so that it (the finger) may be swung up out of engagement with the pin 4. (see Fig. 3). This will break the connection between the lever 6 and the guide wall and permit the latter to be drawn back to its full extent by the tension spring 16. In re-connecting the parts, the handle 17 will be found to be useful.

In the accompanying drawings the invention has been shown merely in preferred form and by way of example, but obviously many changes and alterations may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention is not limited to any particular form or embodiment, except insofar as such limitations are specified in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a slug casting machine, the combination of a. mold, means for presenting a matrix line to the mold in one or another of different casting positions according to the size of the matrix characters, means for ejecting the cast slug from the mold, a guide through which the ejected slug passes, said guide having one of its walls adjustable to vary the distance therebetween, and automatic means for adjusting the guide wall in accordance with the casting position of the matrix line and hence with the size of the matrix characters.

2. In a slug casting machine, the combination passes, said guide having a relatively fixed lefthand wall and an adjustable right-hand wall, and automatic means for setting the right-hand wall at a distance from the left-hand wall to correspond with the casting position of the matrix line and hence with the size of the matrix characters.

3. In a slug casting machine, the combination of a mold, means for presenting a matrix line to the mold in one or another of different casting positions according to the size of the matrix characters, means for ejecting the cast slug from the mold, a guide through which the ejected slug passes, said guide having one of its walls adjustable to vary the distance therebetween, and means controlled by the casting position of the matrix line for effecting the required adjustment of the guide wall.

4. In a slug casting machine, the combination of a mold, means for presenting a matrix line to the mold in one or another of difierent casting positions according to the size of the matrix characters, means for ejecting the cast slug from the mold, a guide through which the ejected slug passes, said guide having a relatively fixed lefthand wall and an adjustable right-hand Wall, and means controlled by the casting position of the matrix line for setting the right-hand wall at a distance from the left-hand wall to correspond with the size of the matrix characters.

5. In a slug casting machine, the combination of a. mold, a vertically movable transporter for presenting a matrix line to the mold, adjustable means for arresting the transporter at one or another of different casting levels according to the size of the matrix characters, means for ejecting the cast slug from the mold, a guide through which the ejected slug passes, said guide having one of its walls adjustable to vary the distance therebetween, and automatic means for adjusting the guide wall to correspond with the level at which the transporter is arrested.

6. In a slug casting machine, the combination of a mold, a vertically movable transporter for presenting a matrix line to the mold, adjustable means for arresting the transporter at one or another of different casting levels according to the size of the matrix characters, means for ejecting the cast slug from the mold, a guide through which the ejected slug passes, said guide having one of its walls adjustable to vary the distance therebetween, and means controlled by the adjustment of the transporter arresting means for effecting a corresponding adjustment of the guide wall.

'7. In a slug casting machine, the combination of a mold, a vertically movable transporter for presenting a matrix line to the mold, an adjustable stepped bar for arresting the transporter at one or another of different casting levels according to the size of the matrix characters, means for ejecting the cast slug from the mold, a guide through which the ejected slug passes, said guide having one of its walls adjustable to vary the distance therebetween, and means including a stepped bar connected to and adjustable with the transporter arresting bar for;

effecting a corresponding adjustment of the guide wall.

8. In a slug casting machine, the combination of a mold, means for presenting a matrix line to the mold in one or another of different casting positions according to the size of the matrix characters, means for ejecting the cast slug from the mold, a guide through which the ejected slug passes, said guide having one of its walls adjustable to vary the distance therebetween, a galley chute arranged to receive the slug from the guide and having one of its walls connected to and adjustable with the guide wall, and automatic means for adjusting the guide wall and the connected chute wall in accordance with the casting position of the matrix line.

9. In a slug casting machine, the combination of a mold, means for presenting a matrix line to the mold in one or another of different casting posit-ions according to the size of the matrix characters, means for ejecting the cast slug from the mold, a guide through which the ejected slug passes, said guide having one of its walls adjustable to vary the distance therebetween, a galley chute arranged to receivethe slug" from the guide and having one of its walls connected to and adjustable with the guide wall, and means controlled by the casting position of the matrix line for effecting the required adjustment of the guide wall and the connected chute Wall.

10. A combination according to claim 8, characterized by the fact that the adjustable walls of the slug guide and the chute are the righthand walls thereof, the left-hand walls being relatively fixed.

In a slug casting machine, the combination of a mold, means for presenting a matrix line to the mold in one or another or" different casting positions according to the size of the matrix characters, means for ejecting the cast slug from the mold, a guide through which the ejected slug passes, said guide having one of its walls adjustable to vary the distance therebetween, a spring tending constantly to move the adjustable wall in one direction, a cam for moving the adjustable wall in the opposite direction in opposition to the spring, and means for operating the cam to an extent determined by the casting position of the matrix line so as to adjust the guide walls in accordance with the size of the matrix characters.

12. In a slug casting machine, the combination of a mold, a vertically movable transporter for presenting a matrix line to the mold, an adjustable stepped bar for arresting the transporter at one or another of different casting levels according to the size of the matrix characters, means for ejecting the cast slug from the mold, a guide through which the ejected slug passes, said guide having its right-hand wall adjustable toward and from its left-hand wall to carry the distance therebetween, a spring tending constantly to move the right-hand wall away from the left-hand wall, an adjustable stepped bar opposing such tendency of the spring, and connections between said stepped bar and the transporter arresting bar to insure the proper adjustment of the slug guide in accordance with the casting level of the transporter.

13. A combination as in claim 12, including a pivoted lever connected to the adjustable guide wall and having a slidable link cooperating with the stepped bar which controls the adjustment of said guide wall.

14. A combination as in claim 12, characterized by the fact that the connections between the ad- J'ustable guide wall andits adjusting stepped bar may be broken when desired to permit the full retraction of the wall.

15. A combination as in claim 12, characterized by the fact that the spring which moves the righthand guide wall may be suppressed when desired to facilitate the adjustment of the parts.

16. A combination as in claim 12, including a pivoted lever connected to the adjustable guide wall and having a slidable link cooperating with the stepped wall-adjusting bar, said lever having a handle by which the wall may be moved manually and also having a pivoted finger by which the lever may be connected to or disconnected from the guide wall.

17. A combination according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that at least one of the guide walls is provided with a knife edge for trimming the side of the cast slug as it passes through the guide.

18. A combination according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that both of the guide walls are provided with knife edges for trimming the opposite sides of the cast slug as it passes through the guide.

19. In a slug casting machine, the combination of a mold, means for presenting a matrix line to the mold in one or another of diiferent casting positions according to the size of the matrix character, means for ejecting the cast slug from the mold, a pair of trimming knives between which the ejected slug passes, one of said knives being adjustable toward and from the other to vary the distance therebetween, and automatic means for adjusting the knife in accordance with the casting position of the matrix line and hence with the size of the matrix characters.

20. In a slug casting machine, the combination of a mold, means for presenting a matrix line to the mold in one or another of difi'erent casting positions according to the size of the matrix characters, means for ejecting the cast slug from the mold, a pair of trimming knives between which the ejected slug passes, one of said knives being adjustable toward and from the other to vary the distance therebetween, and means controlled by the casting position of the matrix'line for effecting the required adjustment of the slug trimming knife.

ANTHONY J. STOUGES.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,965,479. July 3, 1934.

ANTHONY J. STOUGES.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 4, line 36, claim 12. for "carry" read vary; and line 105, claim 19, for "character" read characters; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Qffiee.

Signed and sealed this 7th day of August, A. D. 1934.

Leslie Frazer (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

